Systems and methods for assembling or disassembling a hammer tool

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods can include applying, using a nut assembly including a first nut and a plurality of fasteners provided in respective threaded holes of the first nut, a first tensioning force for a stud of a hammer assembly. The systems and methods can also include applying, using the nut assembly, a second tensioning force for the stud of the hammer assembly. The first tensioning force can be applied with the first nut in a first orientation whereby a first end surface of the first nut faces a first direction and a second end surface of the first nut faces a second direction opposite the first direction. The second tensioning force can be applied with the first nut in a second orientation whereby the first end surface of the first nut faces the second direction and the second end surface of the first nut faces the first direction. The second tensioning force can be greater than the first tensioning force.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for assemblingand/or disassembling a hammer tool. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to systems (including kits) and methods fortensioning and/or loosening tension for one or more tie rods of a hammertool.

BACKGROUND

Hammer tie rods are relatively large fasteners that provide clamp loadsto a hammer body. Hammer tie rods typically require high torque valuesto achieve a desired clamping load. In some cases, the torque value canreach 20,000 foot-pounds (e.g., between 15,000-20,000 foot-pounds).

However, such high torque values may be difficult to achieve duringassembly of the hammer body. Moreover, such high torque values maydamage the threading of a nut or collar that may fasten an end of thetie rod to the hammer body, which can change the amount of clamp loadachieved by the nut or collar.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0000375 (“the '375 patent publication”)describes a multi jackbolt tensioner that includes a jackbolt bodyhaving a plurality of holes with threads to receive jackbolts havingtorque receiving surfaces all disposed about the periphery of eachjackbolt in a mutually non-parallel relation to prevent the unauthorizedapplication of torque or stress. According to the '375 patentpublication, the holes comprise a first length of sidewall with threadand a second length of sidewall comprises a counterbore.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method is disclosed or can be implemented. The methodcan comprise: applying, using a nut assembly including a first nut and aplurality of bolts provided in respective threaded holes of the firstnut, a first tensioning force for a stud of a hammer assembly; andapplying, using the nut assembly, a second tensioning force for the studof the hammer assembly. The first tensioning force can be applied withthe first nut in a first orientation whereby a first end surface of thefirst nut faces a first direction and a second end surface of the firstnut faces a second direction opposite the first direction. The secondtensioning force can be applied with the first nut in a secondorientation whereby the first end surface of the first nut faces thesecond direction and the second end surface of the first nut faces thefirst direction. The second tensioning force can be greater than thefirst tensioning force.

In another aspect, a kit for a hammer assembly is disclosed or can beprovided. The kit can comprise: a nut assembly including a first nut anda plurality of fasteners to be provided within respective threaded holesof the first nut, the first nut being threadedly connectableindividually to a first threaded portion at a first end portion of eachof a plurality of tie rods; and a plurality of second nuts threadedlyconnectable to a second threaded portion at the first end portion ofrespective ones of the tie rods. The first nut can have a first endsurface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface. Thesecond end surface of the first nut can include a plurality ofcounterbores circumscribing, in a top plan view, respective ones of thethreaded holes, and the first end surface of the first nut is free ofcounterbores. The nut assembly can stretch each of the tie rodsindividually by a first amount when the first nut is threadedly coupledto the tie rod such that the second end surface faces the second nut andthe fasteners are tightened such that heads thereof abut the first endsurface of the first nut and free ends thereof push against an uppersurface of a body of the hammer assembly. The nut assembly can stretcheach of the tie rods individually by a second amount greater than thefirst amount when the first nut is threadedly coupled to the tie rodsuch that the first end surface of the first nut faces the second nutand the fasteners are tightened such that the heads thereof extend intothe counterbores and the free ends thereof push against the uppersurface of the body of the hammer assembly.

In another aspect, a method is disclosed or can be implemented. Themethod can comprise: with a second collar threadedly connected to asecond threaded portion of a tie rod of a hammer assembly, and with acollar assembly, which includes a first collar and a plurality of boltsprovided in respective threaded holes of the first collar, threadedlyconnected to a first threaded portion of the tie rod such that a secondend surface of the first collar faces the second collar, removing thecollar assembly from the tie rod, wherein after said removing the collarassembly from the tie rod the second collar provides a first clampingforce for the tie rod; with the second collar threadedly connected tothe second threaded portion of the tie rod and providing the firstclamping force for the tie rod, threading the first collar onto thefirst threaded portion of the tie rod such that a first end surface ofthe first collar opposite the second end surface faces the second collarand such that the collar assembly directly contacts an upper surface ofa body of the hammer assembly; and tightening the bolts of the collarassembly against the upper surface of the body of the hammer assembly toapply a second clamping force for the tie rod, the second clamping forcebeing greater than the first clamping force. The second end surface ofthe first collar can include a plurality of counterbores radiallysurrounding respective ones of the threaded holes, and the first endsurface of the first collar is without any counterbores. Thecounterbores can be sized to accommodate portions of heads of respectiveones of the bolts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an excavating machine having a hammer assemblythat may implement systems and methods according to embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hammer assembly of FIG. 1, which canimplement systems and methods according to embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIG. 3 is a transparent perspective view of a hammer assembly and acollar assembly according to embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the hammer assembly and thecollar assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is another partial perspective view of the hammer assembly andthe collar assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the hammer assembly and the collarassembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a transparent perspective view of a first side of a collar ofa collar assembly according to embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 8 is a transparent perspective view of a second side of the collarof FIG. 7.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B respectively illustrate tightening and loosening ofthe collar assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method according to one or more embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of another method according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hammers, such as hydraulic hammers, are generally employed on worksitesto demolish and break up hard objects, including rocks, concrete,asphalt, and frozen ground. The hammers may be mounted to machines, suchas excavators and backhoes, for example. The hammers may alternativelybe powered by pneumatic pressure sources, rather than only hydraulicsources. In either event, a high-pressure fluid may be utilized withinthe hammer to cyclically drive a piston to strike a work tool, which, inturn, may carry an impulse wave to the object of demolition for breakingthat object into smaller pieces, for instance, for easier removal from aworksite.

As noted above, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter relate tosystems and methods for assembling and/or disassembling a hammer tool.In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systemsand methods for tensioning and/or loosening tension for one or more tierods for a hammer tool.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an excavating machine 10 used to dig and removerock and soil from a construction worksite is shown. The excavatingmachine 10 may incorporate a cab body 12 containing, for instance, anoperator station and operating controls. The excavating machine 10 maybe supported by, and may move on, tracks 14. An extensible boom 20 maybe movably anchored to the cab body 12, and an articulating stick 22,which may be referred to as a lift arm, may be secured to and supportedfor movement on the extensible boom 20.

The excavating machine 10 may incorporate a tool in the form of a hammerassembly 30, as depicted, for instance, at an operational end 28 of thearticulating stick 22. The hammer assembly 30 can be a fluid-poweredhammer, for instance, hydraulic-powered or pneumatic-powered. Thus, thehammer assembly 30 can be a hydraulic hammer or a pneumatic hammerassembly. Cylinder actuators 26 may be utilized to move the articulatingstick 22 relative to the extensible boom 20, and to move the hammer 30relative to the articulating stick 22. Like the hammer assembly 30, thecylinder actuators 26 can be hydraulic- or pneumatic-powered cylinderactuators.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, the hammer assembly 30 can include anupper portion 31 and a lower portion 36, which may be referred to as aback head portion and a front head portion, respectively. A hammer tool40 having an upper end may be operatively connected to the lower portion36 of the hammer assembly 30. Generally, the hammer tool 40 can beactuated to produce cyclic vibrational movement at an intensitysufficient to demolish hard objects, such as rocks.

FIG. 3 shows the hammer assembly 30, in relevant part, detached from thearticulating stick 22 and with transparent sidewalls for the upperportion 31 and the lower portion 36. The sidewalls of the upper portion31 and/or the sidewalls of the lower portion 36 may be referred to orcharacterized as a body 33 of the hammer assembly 30 or part of the body33 of the hammer assembly 30. As shown, the hammer assembly 30 caninclude a power cell 32 and a piston within a sleeve 35 (provided in thebody 33 of the hammer assembly 30). The power cell 32 may utilize asuitable working fluid, such as a hydraulic and/or pneumatic fluid, toreciprocally impact the piston against an upper end of the hammer tool40 to drive the hammer tool 40.

Also shown in FIG. 3, the hammer assembly 30 can include a plurality oftie bars or rods 50, which may be referred to or characterized as studs.The tie rods 50 can extend or run in a longitudinal or length-wisedirection of the hammer assembly 30, such as shown in FIG. 3. The tierods 50 also may be circumferentially disposed around the sleeve 35, forinstance, at respective corner portions of the body 33 of the hammerassembly 30. Generally, the tie rods 50 can retain or hold the upperportion 31 and the lower portion 36 together (along with the power cell32). FIG. 3 shows four tie rods 50, though embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter are not limited to four tie rods 50.

Referring also to FIG. 4, each of the tie rods 50 can include a firstend portion 51 and a second end portion 52 opposite the first endportion 51. The first end portion 51 may be closer to the articulatingstick 22 than the second end portion 52 is to the articulating stick 22.The first end portion 51 and the second end portion 52 of the tie rod50, therefore, may be referred to as a proximal end portion and a distalend portion, respectively, relative to the articulating stick 22. Thesecond end portion 52 of each tie rod 50 can be secured to the lowerportion 36 of the hammer assembly 30, for instance, via a nut orthreaded collar threadedly connected to the second end portion 52 of thetie rod and engaged with the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the first end portion 51 of the tie rod 50can include a first threaded portion 54 and a second threaded portion55. The first threaded portion 54 may be distinct from the secondthreaded portion 55. For instance, the second threaded portion 55 may beseparated from the first threaded portion 54. According to one or moreembodiments, a first non-threaded portion 56 may be provided between thefirst threaded portion 54 and the second threaded portion 55.Optionally, a second non-threaded portion 57 may be provided on a sideof the second threaded portion 55 opposite the first threaded portion 54(and the first non-threaded portion 56).

The first threaded portion 54 can have a first diameter D1 and thesecond threaded portion 55 can have a second diameter D2. The seconddiameter D2 can be greater than the first diameter D1. In that the firstthreaded portion 54 and the second threaded portion 55 can havedifferent diameters, these threaded portions can have different threadforms. Additionally, the second diameter D2 of the second threadedportion 55 may be greater than the first diameter D1 of the firstthreaded portion 54 because less strength may be needed at the firstthreaded portion compared to the second threaded portion when tensioningthe tie rod 50 as described herein. The non-threaded portion 56 may alsohave a diameter D3, which may be referred to herein as a third diameter,and which may be less than the first diameter D1 and/or the seconddiameter D2. The diameter of the tie rod 50 may also decrease below thesecond threaded portion 55. The first non-threaded portion 56 may be arelief area for the tie rod 50, for instance, for manufacturingpurposes.

A nut 60 can be provided for each tie rod 50. The nut 60 may be referredto herein as a second nut. The nut 60 may also be referred to orcharacterized as a collar or a sleeve having a threaded inner surface.The nut 60 can have a body with a first end 61, a second end 62 oppositethe first end 61, an inner sidewall 63, and an outer sidewall 64. Theinner sidewall 63 can have threads to thread the nut 60 onto (and offof) the second threaded portion 55 of the tie rod 50. Thus, the nut 60can be threadedly connected or coupled to the second threaded portion 55of the tie rod 50, such as shown in FIGS. 4-6.

When threaded onto the second threaded portion 55, the nut 60 can beprovided in a bore 34 provided in (e.g., formed by) the body 33 of thehammer assembly 30 (the tie rod 50, of course, can also be provided inthe bore 34). In this regard, portions of the body 33 of the hammerassembly 30 can be provided around the nut 60. For instance, portions ofthe body 33 can be provided adjacent to some of the outer sidewall 64 ofthe nut 60, such as shown in FIG. 6. Also shown in FIG. 6, the secondend 62 of the nut 60 can be provided on or otherwise abut an internalseat 37 provided in (e.g., formed by) the body 33 of the hammer assembly30. The internal seat 37 may be referred to or characterized as aninternal ledge or shoulder.

Discussed in more detail below, the nut 60, when threaded onto thesecond threaded portion 55 such that the second end 62 contacts theinternal seat 37, for instance, as shown in FIG. 6, can provide aclamping load for the tie rod 50. Also discussed below in more detailbelow, such clamping load may be an entirety or all of the clamping loadfor the tie rod 50 (at that end of the tie rod 50). Thus, duringoperation of the hammer tool 40, the nut 60 may remain threadedlycoupled to the second threaded portion 55 of the tie rod 50, with thesecond end 62 thereof abutting the internal seat 37, and the body 33provided adjacent to some of the outer sidewall 64.

The nut 60 can have a plurality of receptacles 65. Each receptacle 65,which may be in the form of a hole or an opening in at least the outersidewall 64 of the nut 60 and optionally the inner sidewall 63 of thenut 60, such as shown in FIG. 6, can receive a removable tool 90 toadjust tightness (i.e., tighten or loosen) of the nut 60 relative to theinternal seat 37. The receptacles 65 can be evenly spaced around acircumference of the nut 60. The tool 90 may not be considered part ofthe hammer assembly 30.

Access to the one or some receptacles 65 can be provided via a window 38in the form of a through hole or opening (e.g., a slot) in the body 33of the hammer assembly 30. Only one or some (i.e., not all) of thereceptacles 65 may be accessed at once, depending upon the rotationalposition of the nut 60 and the configuration of the window 38. The tool90 may be provided through the window 38 and engaged with one of thereceptacles 65. The tool 90 can be rotated to rotate the nut 60 toadjust the tightness of the nut 60 relative to the internal seat 37. Thewindow 38 may also be dimensioned such that one can access the nut 60via one or more fingers. Thus, the nut 60 may be tightened by hand viathe window 38 such that the second end 62 of the nut 60 initially abutsthe internal seat 37, according to a first amount of torque, and furthertightened against the internal seat 37 via the window 38 using the tool90, according to a second amount of torque. The second amount of torqueassociated with tightening the nut 60 using the tool 90 can be greaterthan the first amount of torque associated with tightening the nut 60 byhand.

As shown in FIGS. 3-8, 9A, and 9B, a collar or sleeve assembly 70 can beprovided for one of the tie rods 50. The collar assembly 70 may bereferred to as a tool and may not be considered part of the hammerassembly 30. According to one or more embodiments, only one collarassembly 70 may be provided, and the one collar assembly 70 can be usedwith each tie rod 50 individually and successively. Alternatively,collar assemblies 70 for each of the tie rods 50 may be provided.

The collar assembly 70 can include a nut 72 and a plurality of fasteners80. The nut 72 may be referred to herein as a first nut. The nut 72 mayalso be referred to or characterized as a collar or a sleeve having athreaded inner surface.

Referring now also to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the nut 72 can have a body witha first end surface 73, a second end surface 74 opposite the first endsurface 73, an inner sidewall 75, and an outer sidewall 76. The innersidewall 75, which can be threaded, can define a central opening 77. Aplurality of through holes 78 can extend through the body of the nut 72,from the first end surface 73 to the second end surface 74.

The nut 72, via the threading of the inner sidewall 75, can be threadedonto (and off of) the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50. Thus,the nut 72 can be threadedly connected or coupled to the first threadedportion 54 of the tie rod 50, such as shown in FIGS. 3-6. In thisregard, the nut 72 can be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54 ofthe tie rod 50 with or without some or all of the fasteners 80. As oneexample, the nut 72 can be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54of the tie rod 50 with all of the fasteners 80 provided in the body ofthe nut 72. Discussed in more detail below, the nut 72 can be threadedonto the first threaded portion 54 according to two differentorientations, a first orientation and a second orientation. In the firstorientation the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 can face up, awayfrom the nut 60, and the second end surface 74 can face down, toward thenut 60. In the second orientation the first end surface 73 of the nut 72can face the nut 60 and the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 can faceaway from the nut 60.

The first end surface 73 of the nut 72 can be entirely or partially flator planar. For instance, the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 can beflat or planar from the through holes 78 radially inward to the innersidewall 75. Thus, the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 may not haveany recessed portions (e.g., counterbores). An edge between the firstend surface 73 and the outer sidewall 76 can be chamfered. Additionallyor alternatively, an edge between the second end surface 74 and theouter sidewall 76 can be chamfered. According to one or moreembodiments, an entire length of the through holes 78 can be threaded.

The second end surface 74 of the nut 72 may not be entirely flat orplanar. For instance, the second end surface 74 can have a plurality ofrecessed portions 79. The recessed portions 79 may be referred to orcharacterized as counterbores. The recessed portions 79, as shown inFIG. 8, for instance, can radially surround respective ones of thethrough holes 78. Moreover, in a top plan view of the second end surface74 of the nut 72, the recessed portions 79 can circumscribe respectiveones of the through holes 78. Discussed in more detail below, eachrecessed portion 79 can be sized to accommodate a portion of acorresponding one of the fasteners 80 provided in the through hole 78.According to one or more embodiments, a depth of each of the recessedportions 79 can be less than one quarter a thickness of the nut 72.

The through holes 78 can be radially spaced. More specifically, thethrough holes 78 can be provided a same radial distance from a centrallongitudinal axis A passing through the central opening 77 of the nut 72defined by the inner sidewall 75. In this regard, the through holes 78can be evenly spaced from each other around the central longitudinalaxis A, such as shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the fasteners 80 each can have a head82 and a threaded body 84. According to one or more embodiments, thefasteners 80 can be jack bolts, for instance, whereby the head 82 can beactuated via a hex wrench or the like. Each fastener 80, when threadedlyprovided in one of the through holes 78 of the nut 72, can extend fromat least the first end surface 73 or the second end surface 74 of thenut 72, depending upon the orientation of the nut 72 (i.e., the firstorientation or the second orientation). For instance, in the firstorientation (shown in FIG. 9A) at least the head 82 can extend from thefirst end surface 73 of the nut 72. In this regard, in that the firstend surface 73 can be flat or planar as discussed above, the head 82 maynot be actuated to extend past (i.e., into) the body of the nut 72 byway of the first end surface 73 of the nut 72.

Each recessed portion 79 provided in the second end surface 74 of thenut 72 can be sized to accommodate a portion of the head 82 ofrespective ones of the fasteners 80. For instance, the circumference ofeach recessed portion 79 can be greater (e.g., just greater) than thecircumference of the head 82 of the fastener 80 so the head 82 of thefastener 80 can be provided within the recessed portion 79. According toone or more embodiments, for each recessed portion 79 a thickness (i.e.,height) of each head 82 can be greater than the depth of the recessedportion 79. Thus, in the second orientation (shown in FIG. 9B), for eachfastener 80 a portion of the head 82 thereof can extend into therecessed portion 79, for instance, abutting or contacting the floor ofthe recessed portion 79, whereas another portion of the head 82 canextend above the second end surface 74.

The other end of the fastener 80, which may be referred to herein as thefree end of the fastener 80, may also extend from the body of the nut72, from either the second end surface 74 (in the first orientation ofthe nut 72) or the first end surface 73 (in the second orientation ofthe nut 72), when the fastener 80 is threadedly provided in one of thethrough holes 78. Discussed in more detail below, according to one ormore embodiments, the free end of the fastener 80 may be inside the bodyof the nut 72 when the nut 72 is threaded onto the first threadedportion 54 of the tie rod 50. After the nut 72 is threaded to asufficient extent, for instance, when the second end surface 74 of thenut 72 abuts or is adjacent to an upper surface 39 of the body 33 of thehammer assembly 30, the fasteners 80 may be actuated, i.e., tightened,to extend or project from either the second end surface 74 (in the firstorientation of the nut 72) or the first end surface 73 (in the secondorientation of the nut 72). Incidentally, the upper surface 39 of thebody 33 of the hammer assembly 30 may not include receptacles (e.g.,threaded holes) to receive the free ends of the fasteners 80. That is,the upper surface 39 can be flat or planar where the free ends of thefasteners 80 contact the upper surface 39. Therefore, the free ends ofthe fasteners 80 may directly contact the upper surface 39 but may notbe retained in or by the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30.

Discussed in more detail below, as the fasteners 80 are actuated againstthe upper surface 39 of the body 33, the nut 72 can be caused to pullaway from the upper surface 39 of the body 33. Since the nut 72 can bethreadedly connected to the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50,such movement of the nut 72 can cause the tie rod 50 to stretch. Thiscan lead to the collar assembly 70 providing the clamping load for thetie rod 50, at least temporarily, which is also discussed in more detailbelow.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can involve a kit forassembling, disassembling, adjusting, and/or repairing a particularhammer assembly 30. The kit may be comprised of at least the collarassembly 70. The kit may have only one collar assembly 70.Alternatively, the kit can have multiple collar assemblies 70, forinstance, the same number as a number of tie rods 50 associated with theparticular hammer assembly 30. The kit may also be comprised of aplurality of the nuts 60. For instance, the kit may have the same numberof nuts 60 as the number of tie rods 50. Optionally, the tool 90 may bepart of the kit. According to one or more embodiments, the tie rods 50may also be part of the kit.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As noted above, embodiments of the present disclosure can relate tosystems and methods for tensioning and/or releasing tension from one ormore tie rods for a hammer tool.

Generally, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can involve a tierod torque method and system using a multi-fastener tensioner. Themulti-fastener tensioner may be referred to herein as a collar assembly,for instance, collar assembly 70. Systems and methods according toembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can achieve a same clampload for a tie rod, such as tie rod 50, with relatively less torque, forinstance, compared to systems and methods that do not implement amulti-fastener tensioner according to embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

Thus, one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject can provide anextended hammer tie rod (e.g., tie rod 50), where a multi-fastenertensioning nut (e.g., collar assembly 70) can be provided at the top ofthe tie rod, above a larger nut, i.e., the actual nut (e.g., nut 60) forthe tie rod, and where, upon tightening the fasteners by a presetamount, the multi-fastener tensioning nut can create tension and stretchin the tie rod 50 so that the larger nut (e.g., nut 60) can be screweddown more easily using relatively less torque given by hand. The largernut may then be further tightened using another tool (e.g., tool 90),followed by releasing the fasteners of the multi-fastener tensioning nutto transfer all the clamping load back to the larger nut. Themulti-fastener tensioning nut can then be removed from the tie rod.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can also involve areversible multi-fastener tensioner having a geometry to provide unequaltensioning ability for different orientations of the multi-fastenertensioner. In particular, multi-fastener tensioners according toembodiments of the disclosed subject matter can enable more stretchingwhen provided in a loosening orientation compared to a tightening ortensioning orientation. The tightening/tensioning orientation and theloosening orientation may be referred to herein as the first orientationand the second orientation of the nut 72, respectively. In thetightening orientation the heads of the fasteners can be stopped at(i.e., prevented from exceeding) a first tightening amount and in theloosening orientation the heads of the fasteners can be stopped at(i.e., prevented from exceeding) a second tightening amount. Notably,the second tightening amount can be greater than the first tighteningamount. Thus, the reversible multi-fastener tensioner can stretch thetie rod more in the second orientation, due to its differing geometry onopposite end surfaces, to accommodate for any preload tensioning thatmay remain on the larger fastener (e.g., nut 60) for a disassembly orde-tensioning of the tie rod. This may allow the larger fastener to bemore readily loosened by hand.

Turning now to FIG. 9A and FIG. 10, these figures will be used toillustrate assembling of the tie rod 50 according to embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. FIG. 9A and FIG. 10 can also be representativeof the nut 72 being in a first or tightening orientation. Suchassembling may include tensioning the tie rod 50. Such assembling can beapplicable to all of the tie rods 50 of the hammer assembly 30.

The tie rod 50 can be provided within the interior of the body 33 of thehammer assembly 30. The second end portion 52 of the tie rod 50 can besecured to the lower portion 36 of the hammer assembly 30, for instance,via a nut or threaded collar threadedly connected to the second endportion 52 of the tie rod and engaged with the body 33 of the hammerassembly 30. The first end portion 51 of the tie rod 50 can be securedto the upper portion 31 of the hammer assembly 30.

At operation 102 of method 100 shown in FIG. 10, the nut 60 can bearranged within the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30. Morespecifically, the nut 60 can be threaded onto the second threadedportion 55 of the tie rod 50. The nut 60 may be arranged by handtightening, at least in part by accessing the nut 60 via the window 38formed in the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30. According to one ormore embodiments, the second end 62 of the nut can contact or beadjacent to the internal seat 37 provided within the body 33 of thehammer assembly 30. At operation 102, the nut 60 can be positioned asshown in FIG. 6, as an example. Here, the nut 60 can be tightened suchthat the tie rod 50 has no slack.

At operation 104 of method 100, the collar assembly 70 can be threadedonto the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50. In particular, thenut 72 can be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod50. The nut 72 may be threaded onto the second threaded portion 54 withor without the fasteners 80.

In a case where the fasteners 80 are provided, the fasteners 80 canextend from at least the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 as thecollar assembly 70 is threaded onto the first threaded portion 54. Thefree ends of the fasteners 80 opposite the heads 82 may also extend fromthe body of the nut 72 at the time of installation of the nut 72 or inany case, later, to tension the tie rod 50 using the collar assembly 70.Thus, according to one or more embodiments, at operation 104 the nut 72can be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50until the second end surface 74 contacts or is adjacent to the uppersurface 39 of the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30. In such a case, asan example, the free ends of the fasteners 80 can be flush with thesecond end surface 74 of the nut 72. Alternatively, if the free ends ofthe fasteners 80 extend from the body of the nut 72 at the time ofinstallation of the nut 72 on the tie rod 50, the free ends of thefasteners 80 can contact the upper surface 39 of the body 33.

In any event, at operation 106 the fasteners 80 can be tightened againstthe upper surface 39 of the body 33 using, for instance, a wrench or thelike, depending upon the configuration of the heads 82 of the fasteners80. The fasteners 80 can be tightened according to a predeterminedpattern, such as clockwise, counterclockwise, or opposing pairs offasteners 80.

The fasteners 80, as they are tightened, can extend from (or furtherextend from) the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 and push againstthe upper surface 39 of the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30. This cancause the collar assembly 70, which can be threaded to the firstthreaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50, to pull away from the uppersurface 39 of the body 33 and apply tension to the tie rod 50. A gap canthus be created between the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 and theupper surface 39 of the body 33.

The fasteners 80 can be tightened by a preset amount or distance d1, asshown in FIG. 9A, for instance. Such preset distance d1 may be definedfrom the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 to the free end of thefastener 80. The preset distance d1 may also correspond to the gapcreated between the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 and the uppersurface 39 of the body 33.

The preset distance d1 can be set based on an amount by which thefastener 80 can be screwed in to achieve a desired amount of stretch andclamp load for the tie rod 50. For instance, if the tie rod 50 isdesired to be stretched by 4.0 mm, the length of the threaded body 84 ofthe fastener 80 can be set such that tightening the fastener 80 by 4.0mm can stretch the tie rod 50 by 4.0 mm. The amount of stretch cancorrespond to a predetermined clamp load desired to be exerted on thetie rod 50. Here, providing the clamp load by tightening the fasteners80 may be referred to or characterized as preloading the tie rod 50(using the collar assembly 70).

According to one or more embodiments, the amount by which the head 82 ofthe fastener 80 is spaced from the first end surface 73 of the nut 72can correspond to the preset distance d1. In this regard, as notedabove, the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 can be flat or planar. Theheads 82 of the fasteners 80, therefore, may not extend past (i.e.,into) the body of the nut 72 via the first end surface 73 when the nut72 is in the first orientation. For instance, all heads 82 of thefasteners 80 can contact the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 toprovide the preset stretch and clamp load for the tie rod 50 when thenut 72 is in the first orientation. Additionally, the distance betweenthe free end of the fastener 80 and the bottom of the head 82 of thefastener 80 can be equal to the thickness of the nut 72 plus the desiredamount by which the free end of the fastener 80 can project from thesecond end surface 74 of the nut 72 when the nut 72 is in the firstorientation. Thus, the distance from the head 82 to the first endsurface 73 of the nut 72 can dictate the amount by which the free end ofthe fastener 80 can be extended (or further extended) to provide thepreset stretch and clamp load for the tie rod 50 when the nut 72 is inthe first orientation. Of course, the desired amount of stretch may notnecessarily lead to the heads 82 of the fasteners 80 abutting the firstend surface 73 of the nut 72.

The tightening of the fasteners at operation 106 can also lead tomovement of the nut 60. In particular, since the nut 60 and the nut 72are coupled to the tie rod 50, movement of the nut 72 by the presetdistance d1 can also move the nut 60 by approximately the distance d1.Such movement of the nut 60 due to elongation of the tensioned tie rod50 can pull the nut 60 away from the internal seat 37.

At operation 108 the nut 60 may be manipulated toward the internal seat37 with rotation of the nut 60 causing threaded inner sidewall 63 tocooperate with the second threaded portion 55 of the tie rod 50 andcause the nut 60 to move parallel to the central longitudinal axis A.Such movement may be characterized as tightening. For instance, the nut60 may be manipulated by hand to abut or be adjacent to the internalseat 37. According to one or more embodiments, such manipulation can bevia the window 38.

At operation 110, the nut 60 can be tightened against the internal seat37. Such tightening may be referred to or characterized as furthertightening the nut 60. The torque applied at operation 110 can begreater than the torque applied at operation 108. According to one ormore embodiments, the tool 90 may be used to tighten the nut 60 atoperation 110. After tightening the nut 60 the tool 90 may be disengagedfrom the nut 60.

After the nut 60 has been suitably tightened at operation 110, atoperation 112 the collar assembly 70 can be removed from the tie rod 50.Such removal can include loosening the collar assembly 70. This caninvolve loosening the fasteners 80 such that the free ends of thefasteners 80 no longer contact the upper surface 39 of the body 33. Thenut 60 can then be unthreaded from the first threaded portion 54 of thetie rod 50. Loosening the collar assembly 70 can transfer the clampingload from the collar assembly 70 to the nut 60.

The operations 102-112 may be repeated for one or more additional tierods 150 of the hammer assembly 30. With the clamping loads provided bynuts 60 tightened to respective tie rods 50 according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, the hammer tool 40 may be operated.Notably, the collar assembly 70 may not be provided on any of the tierods 50 during operation of the hammer tool 40.

Turning now to FIG. 9B and FIG. 11, these figures will be used toillustrate disassembling of the tie rod 50 according to embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. FIG. 9B and FIG. 11 can also berepresentative of the nut 72 being in a second or loosening orientation.Such disassembling may include releasing tension from the tie rod 50 andcan be applicable to all of the tie rods 50 of the hammer assembly 30.

At operation 202 of method 200, the collar assembly 70 can be threadedonto the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50. In particular, thenut 72 can be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod50. The nut 72 may be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54 withor without the fasteners 80. For operation 202 the nut 60 can be alreadypreviously tightened to provide the clamping load for the tie rod 50,for instance, according to the method 100.

In a case where the fasteners 80 are provided, the fasteners 80 canextend from at least the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 as thecollar assembly 70 is threaded onto the first threaded portion 54. Thefree ends of the fasteners 80 opposite the heads 82 may also extend fromthe body of the nut 72 at the time of installation of the nut 72 or inany case, later, to tension the tie rod 50 using the collar assembly 70.Thus, according to one or more embodiments, at operation 202 the nut 72can be threaded onto the first threaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50until the first end surface 73 contacts or is adjacent to the uppersurface 39 of the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30. In such a case, asan example, the free ends of the fasteners 80 can be flush with thefirst end surface 73 of the nut 72. Alternatively, if the free ends ofthe fasteners 80 extend from the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 atthe time of installation of the nut 72 on the tie rod 50, the free endsof the fasteners 80 can contact the upper surface 39 of the body 33.

In any event, at operation 204 the fasteners 80 can be tightened againstthe upper surface 39 of the body 33 using, for instance, a wrench or thelike, depending upon the configuration of the heads 82 of the fasteners80. The fasteners 80 can be tightened according to a predeterminedpattern, such as clockwise, counterclockwise, or opposing pairs offasteners 80.

The fasteners 80, as they are tightened, can extend from (or furtherextend from) the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 and push against theupper surface 39 of the body 33 of the hammer assembly 30. This cancause the collar assembly 70, which can be threaded to the firstthreaded portion 54 of the tie rod 50, to pull away from the uppersurface 39 of the body 33 and apply tension to the tie rod 50. A gap canthus be created between the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 and theupper surface 39 of the body 33.

The fasteners 80 can be tightened by a preset amount or distance d2, asshown in FIG. 9B, for instance. Such preset distance d2 may be definedfrom the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 to the free end of thefastener 80. The preset distance d2 may also correspond to the gapcreated between the first end surface 73 of the nut 72 and the uppersurface 39 of the body 33.

The preset distance d2 can be set based on an amount by which thefastener 80 can be screwed in to achieve a desired amount of stretch andclamp load for the tie rod 50 when the nut 72 is in the secondorientation. The preset distance d2 can be greater than the presetdistance d1 associated with the nut 72 in the first orientation. As anexample, the preset distance d2 may be 5.0 mm. Thus, if the tie rod 50is desired to be stretched by 5.0 mm, the length of the threaded body 84of the fastener 80 can be set such that tightening the fastener 80 by5.0 mm can stretch the tie rod 50 by 5.0 mm. The amount of stretch cancorrespond to a predetermined clamp load desired to be exerted on thetie rod 50, for instance, to overcome an existing loading force providedby the nut 60 on the tie rod 50. Here, providing the clamp load bytightening the fasteners 80 may be referred to or characterized aspreloading the tie rod 50 (using the collar assembly 70). In thiscontext, such preloading may be to loosen the nut 60.

According to one or more embodiments, the amount by which the head 82 ofthe fastener 80 is spaced from the second end surface 74 of the nut 72can correspond to the preset distance d2. In this regard, as notedabove, the second end surface 74 of the nut 72 can have the plurality ofrecessed portions 79. The recessed portions 79, which may be referred toor characterized as counterbores, can radially surround respective onesof the through holes 78, where each recessed portion 79 can be sized toaccommodate a portion of the head 82 of respective ones of the fasteners80. For instance, for each recessed portion 79 a thickness (i.e.,height) of each head 82 can be greater than the depth of the recessedportion 79. Thus, in the second orientation, for each fastener 80 aportion of the head 82 thereof can extend into the recessed portion 79,for instance, abutting or contacting the floor of the recessed portion79, whereas another portion of the head 82 can extend above the secondend surface 74. The distance from the head 82 to the floor of therecessed portion 79 can dictate the amount by which the free end of thefastener 80 can be extended (or further extended) to provide the presetstretch and clamp load for the tie rod 50 when the nut 72 is in thesecond orientation. Of course, the desired amount of stretch may notnecessarily lead to the heads 82 of the fasteners 80 abutting the floorsof the recessed portions 79.

The tightening of the fasteners at operation 204 can also lead tomovement of the nut 60. In particular, since the nut 60 and the nut 72are coupled to the tie rod 50, movement of the nut 72 by the presetdistance d2 can also move the nut 60 by approximately the distance d2.Such movement of the nut 60 due to elongation of the tensioned tie rod50 can pull the nut 60 away from the internal seat 37. Moreover, the nut72 can provide the clamping force for the tie rod 50.

At operation 206 the nut 60 may be manipulated farther away from theinternal seat 37, with rotation of the nut 60 causing threaded innersidewall 63 to cooperate with the second threaded portion 55 of the tierod 50 and the nut 60 to move parallel to the central longitudinal axisA. Such movement may be characterized as loosening. For instance, thenut 60 may be manipulated by hand to be moved farther away from theinternal seat 37. According to one or more embodiments, suchmanipulation can be via the window 38.

At operation 208 the collar assembly 70 can be removed from the tie rod50. Such removal can include loosening the collar assembly 70. This caninvolve loosening the fasteners 80 such that the free ends of thefasteners 80 no longer contact the upper surface 39 of the body 33. Thenut 72 can then be unthreaded from the first threaded portion 54 of thetie rod 50 and removed from the tie rid 50.

At operation 210 the nut 60 can be removed from the tie rod 50. This caninvolve sliding the nut 60 toward the proximal end of the tie rod 50.Depending upon the diameter D1 of the first threaded portion 54, the nut60 may also need to be threaded along the first threaded portion 54 tobe removed from the tie rod 50.

The operations 202-210 may be repeated for one or more additional tierods 50 of the hammer assembly 30.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may becontemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, assemblies,systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of whatis disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within thescope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims andany equivalents thereof.

Unless explicitly excluded, the use of the singular to describe acomponent, structure, or operation does not exclude the use of pluralsuch components, structures, or operations or their equivalents. The useof the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” or the term “oneor more,” and similar referents in the context of describing theinvention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to beconstrued to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwiseindicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term“at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “atleast one of A and B” or one or more of A and B″) is to be construed tomean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combinationof two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A and B; A, B and B),unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Similarly, as used herein, the word “or” refers to any possiblepermutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase “A, B, or C”refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such asany of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple ofany item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: with a second collarthreadedly connected to a second threaded portion of a tie rod of ahammer assembly, and with a collar assembly, which includes a firstcollar and a plurality of bolts provided in respective threaded holes ofthe first collar, threadedly connected to a first threaded portion ofthe tie rod such that a second end surface of the first collar faces thesecond collar, removing the collar assembly from the tie rod, whereinafter said removing the collar assembly from the tie rod the secondcollar provides a first clamping force for the tie rod; with the secondcollar threadedly connected to the second threaded portion of the tierod and providing the first clamping force for the tie rod, threadingthe first collar onto the first threaded portion of the tie rod suchthat a first end surface of the first collar opposite the second endsurface faces the second collar and such that the collar assemblydirectly contacts an upper surface of a body of the hammer assembly; andtightening the bolts of the collar assembly against the upper surface ofthe body of the hammer assembly to apply a second clamping force for thetie rod, the second clamping force being greater than the first clampingforce, wherein the second end surface of the first collar includes aplurality of counterbores radially surrounding respective ones of thethreaded holes, and the first end surface of the first collar is withoutany counterbores, and wherein the counterbores are sized to accommodateportions of heads of respective ones of the bolts.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said tightening the bolts against theupper surface of the body of the hammer assembly to apply the secondclamping force includes the heads of the bolts being extended into andabutting floors of the respective ones of the counterbores.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2, wherein when the heads of the bolts abutthe floors of the respective ones of the counterbores, for each of theheads a portion of the head is at a height above the second end surfaceof the first nut.
 4. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising, after said tightening the bolts against the upper surface ofthe body of the hammer assembly to apply the second clamping force,loosening the second collar.
 5. The method according to claim 4, furthercomprising, after said loosening the second collar: removing the firstcollar assembly from the tie rod; and removing the second collar fromthe tie rod.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a depth of thecounterbores corresponds to a difference in clamping force between thesecond clamping force and the first clamping force.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said removing the collar assembly from thetie rod includes loosening the bolts followed by unthreading the firstcollar from the first threaded portion of the tie rod.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein upon starting said removing the collarassembly from the tie rod, free ends of the bolts directly contact theupper surface of the body of the hammer assembly.
 9. A kit for a hammerassembly comprising: a nut assembly including a first nut and aplurality of fasteners to be provided within respective threaded holesof the first nut, the first nut being threadedly connectableindividually to a first threaded portion at a first end portion of eachof a plurality of tie rods; and a plurality of second nuts threadedlyconnectable to a second threaded portion at the first end portion ofrespective ones of the tie rods, wherein the first nut has a first endsurface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface, whereinthe second end surface of the first nut includes a plurality ofcounterbores circumscribing, in a top plan view, respective ones of thethreaded holes, and the first end surface of the first nut is free ofcounterbores, wherein the nut assembly stretches each of the tie rodsindividually by a first amount when the first nut is threadedly coupledto the tie rod such that the second end surface faces the second nut andthe fasteners are tightened such that heads thereof abut the first endsurface of the first nut and free ends thereof push against an uppersurface of a body of the hammer assembly, and wherein the nut assemblystretches each of the tie rods individually by a second amount greaterthan the first amount when the first nut is threadedly coupled to thetie rod such that the first end surface of the first nut faces thesecond nut and the fasteners are tightened such that the heads thereofextend into the counterbores and the free ends thereof push against theupper surface of the body of the hammer assembly.
 10. The kit accordingto claim 9, wherein each of the fasteners is a jackbolt.
 11. The kitaccording to claim 9, further comprising the plurality of tie rods. 12.The kit according to claim 9, wherein a depth of the counterborescorresponds to a difference in stretching amount between the secondamount of stretching of the tie rod and the first amount of stretchingof the tie rod.
 13. The kit according to claim 9, wherein a fastenerlength of each of the fasteners is greater than a hole length of therespective threaded hole of the first nut, wherein a thickness of thehead of each of the fasteners is greater than a depth of the respectivecounterbore, and wherein the depth of each of the counterbores is lessthan one quarter a thickness of the first nut.
 14. A method comprising:applying, using a nut assembly including a first nut and a plurality ofbolts provided in respective threaded holes of the first nut, a firsttensioning force for a stud of a hammer assembly; and applying, usingthe nut assembly, a second tensioning force for the stud of the hammerassembly, wherein the first tensioning force is applied with the firstnut in a first orientation whereby a first end surface of the first nutfaces a first direction and a second end surface of the first nut facesa second direction opposite the first direction, wherein the secondtensioning force is applied with the first nut in a second orientationwhereby the first end surface of the first nut faces the seconddirection and the second end surface of the first nut faces the firstdirection, and wherein the second tensioning force is greater than thefirst tensioning force.
 15. The method according to claim 14, whereinsaid applying the first tensioning force and said applying the secondtensioning force are performed with a second nut threadedly connected toa second threaded portion of the stud of the hammer assembly.
 16. Themethod according to claim 14, wherein the second end surface of thefirst nut includes a plurality of recessed portions radially surroundingrespective ones of the threaded holes.
 17. The method according to claim16, wherein a bolt length of each of the bolts is greater than a holelength of each of the threaded holes of the first nut, and wherein athickness of heads of each of the bolts is greater than a depth of eachof the recessed portions.
 18. The method according to claim 16, whereinfor said applying the first tensioning force heads of the bolts abut thefirst end surface of the first nut, and wherein for said applying thesecond tensioning force the heads of the bolts are at least partly inthe recessed portions provided in the second end surface of the firstnut.
 19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising, betweensaid applying the first tensioning force and said applying the secondtensioning force, removing the first nut from the stud.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 14, further comprising repeating said applying thefirst tensioning force and said applying the second tensioning force foranother stud of the hammer assembly.